Four New Hampshire beaches made it on Yankee Magazine’s ranking of best beaches in New England.
One of the hardest parts of planning a summer beach trip in New Hampshire certainly isn’t the lack of choice (the Granite State alone has about 273 lakes and ponds), but rather trying to figure out the best beach to visit.
“From wide sandy stretches and dramatic ocean bluffs to hidden coves and family-friendly shores, New England beaches offer something for every kind of beachgoer,” Yankee Magazine said.
Out of 34 New England beaches on the list, here are the four beaches in New Hampshire that made it.
Hampton Beach State Park, Hampton — ‘pristine white-sand beach’
Yankee chose Hampton Beach State Park because of its ridiculously beautiful beach, but also because its surrounding area is full of classic boardwalk accoutrements, from great new eats like Farr’s Famous Chicken and Sea Ketch to live music venues.
“All these attractions stand behind a miles-long state park, with a pristine white-sand beach (rated one of America’s cleanest), five bathhouses, RV camping sites, and a special section for surfers,” the magazine said.
It also has some amazing and family-friendly weekly events on the beach from Monday movie nights to Wednesday night fireworks. There will be fireworks on July 1 and July 4 this week. “The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants” is scheduled for July 6.
Carry Beach, Wolfeboro — ‘a small sandy beach set in parklike surroundings’
Yankee Magazine picked out one of the quieter beaches on Lake Winnipesaukee: Carry Beach, just for folks who don’t want to be around crowds when they go to the beach.
“Carry Beach, on Winter Harbor, is as low-key as they come, with shallow, kid-friendly water; a small sandy beach set in parklike surroundings; and lifeguards in season,” Yankee said. “It’s also home to a water aerobics program and the swim portion of the annual Granite Man Triathlon.”
Some people on TripAdvisor do warn of a two-mile trek to the beach from the closest area for public parking, but that might not be such a bad thing if you like walking or biking.
Odiorne Point State Park, Rye — ‘top alternative to sandy swimmers’ beaches’
If you want a different style of beach than sandy, Odiorne Point State Park’s “top alternative to sandy swimmers’ beaches” might be for you.
Its shore has leftover World War II gun emplacements, walking trails that pierce through the dense brush, and Seacoast Science Center perfect for ecology and anthropology nerds, the magazine pointed out.
At the Seacoast Science Center exhibits, you can also learn about humpback whales and reef restoration as well as touch and hold sea stars and urchins.
If you prefer to focus on the beach part of the state park, beachgoers can bask in the wide view of the Atlantic Ocean from the perspective of the Gulf of Maine.
Wallis Sands State Park, Rye — ‘views of the Isles of Shoals’
Yankee Magazine chose another Rye beach classic in Wallis Sands State Park, as its swimming area is as nice as its sandy parts to both experience and marvel at.
“Facing the Gulf of Maine between Rye and Odiorne Point, with views of the Isles of Shoals, Wallis is an aptly named arc of sand ranging the length of a small state park,” Yankee Magazine said.
Wallis Sands seems to have all the amenities that a beachgoer could want, like an area to picnic, a shop, and a bathhouse; however, Yankee recommended that trip planners reserve a parking spot in advance, as 500 spaces may not be as much as it looks like on paper.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Rin Velasco.
